Week 8 - Introduction to Health Information Systems

Session 1 – What is Health Systems Science?

  1. Spark Questions
  2. Session summary and reflection
  3. Learning Outcome
  4. Concluding Questions: Introduction to Health Information Systems

Spark Questions

There are many issues that need to be considered when thinking about health information systems and collecting information about health. Answer these two questions:

1) What information do we need to collect about health to plan and manage our health systems?

2) Where should information about health be collected, and who should collect it?

1) Patient health records, disease prevalence, healthcare access and treatment outcomes, Demographic information

2) Professional healthcare providers such as doctors and Nurses. Pharmacies, Clinics, Hospitals, Health Surveys (with concent)

Session summary and reflection

Definition and Importance of HIS:

    • HIS integrates data collection, processing, and reporting to enhance health service effectiveness and management at all levels. It provides a holistic view, helping with treatment effectiveness, resource allocation, and health planning 

Data Collection Levels:

    • Data is collected at multiple levels:
    • Individual Level: Patient health records for continuity of care.
    • Health Facility Level: Data on services and resource needs.
    • Public Health Surveillance: Disease prevalence and incidence in regions.
    • Population Level: Access patterns and health reporting.
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Functionalities of HIS:

    • Key functions include data generation, compilation, analysis, and communication, which support timely response to health needs 

Situation in South Africa:

    • HIS in South Africa uses paper-based records, the District Health Information System (DHIS), and private sector electronic systems. DHIS is crucial for aggregating data from public health facilities for service delivery improvement
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Challenges Facing DHIS:

    • Overload of Data Elements: Too many elements are collected without clear use.
    • Resource Shortages: Limited resources for data collection at primary health care (PHC) level.
    • User-Unfriendly Tools: Complexity in data collection tools leads to inefficiency.
    • Duplication and Lack of Clarity: Data duplication and unclear definitions cause confusion.
    • Frequent Changes: Constant tool updates disrupt data collection consistency.
    • Lack of Buy-In: Low cooperation from healthcare workers affects data accuracy
  • (Stephen Pentz,2024)

Learning outcome - Overview of Health Information Systems

  • Define health information systems (HIS) and explain its importance.
    • HIS are systems that collect, manage, and analyze health data to support decision-making, improve healthcare delivery, and monitor health outcomes.
  • Discuss types of Health Information Systems that have been put in place in South Africa.
    • South Africa uses systems like the District Health Information System (DHIS), Electronic Health Records (EHR), and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) to collect and manage health data.
  • Discuss the current challenges affecting the Health Information Systems in the South African public service.
    • Challenges include data fragmentation, lack of interoperability, limited technical infrastructure, data quality issues, and shortages of skilled personnel.

Conclusion questions: Introduction to Health Information Systems

Core Content: Health Information Systems 

  • What information do we need to collect about health to plan and manage our health systems?
    • Data on disease prevalence, mortality rates, healthcare access, resource availability, workforce capacity, and patient demographics are essential for planning and managing health systems.
  • Where should information about health be collected, and who should collect it?
    • Information should be collected at healthcare facilities, community health centers, and through public health surveys. Data collection is typically done by healthcare workers.
  • What are the main challenges affecting the collection of health information? 
    • insufficient resources, inadequate training, data accuracy issues, technological limitations, and gaps in data coverage, especially in remote areas.
 

Core Content: Health Promotion 

  • What is the difference between health promotion and disease prevention? 
    • Health promotion focuses on encouraging healthy behaviors and improving overall well-being, while disease prevention aims to reduce the occurrence of specific diseases through interventions like vaccinations and screenings.
  • How can the health system respond to the health needs of the population to promote health and prevent disease?
    • The health system can offer accessible healthcare services, provide education on healthy lifestyles, implement preventive programs, and ensure vaccinations, screenings, and health monitoring are available.
  • What role can technology play in promoting health? 
    • Technology can enhance health promotion by enabling telemedicine, mobile health apps, electronic health records, and data analysis for early disease detection and personalized health interventions.

References

  • Stephen Pentz, Overview of Health Information Systems – Module 13: Session 1a, 2024
  • Stephen Pentz, Overview of Health Information Systems – Module 13: Session 1b, 2024
Week 7 - Session 5
Session 2